Get off the sofa: Walk Hadrian’s Wall

For almost 300 years, Hadrian’s Wall was the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire, stretching from coast to coast. It was built by the Roman army on the orders of Emperor Hadrian. The Wall was manned by troops from across the Roman empire and has since been granted World Heritage Site status due to its outstanding significance and extensive Roman remains and artefacts – making it the perfect backdrop for a historic walking holiday!

We love to walk just as much as you do so it’s no surprise that our team enjoy revisiting our walking holiday routes as well. Read on to see what great sights one of the team saw during their Hadrian’s Wall Walk…

“I was very excited about my walking holiday and made sure I had all my stuff sorted – rucksack packed, dogs settled in kennels, a parrot dispatched to whatever a parrot-sitter is called, and was ready to start my Hadrian’s Wall walking holiday.

I started my Hadrian’s Wall Walk in Corbridge and missed out the more urban section at the start (although I’m assured by many customers and people I spoke to in the B&B that this section is just as worthwhile). Instead of getting a taxi to Port Gate to start walking, I decided to walk to the route via Halton Castle. This makes for a lovely walk over agricultural and woodland, passing Aydon Castle and Halton Castle and arriving at the route just east of Port Gate, adding about 3 miles to your journey. Next, I walked into Chollerford where I visited the fascinating Chester’s Fort and saw the excavated remains and museum artefacts which I highly recommend.

Up next was the journey from Humshaugh to Twice Brewed. It was another great day rich in history as I passed the remains of milecastles, turrets, a temple and officers quarters. I also visited the fascinating Housesteads Fort. I was also happy to come across the famous Sycamore Gap with its Sycamore tree that starred alongside Kevin Costner in Robin Hood.

I squeezed in a trip to Vindolanda and was mesmerised by the artefacts, especially the jewellery and the Vindolanda tablets – ancient ‘postcards’ on thin slivers of wood with the writing still visible revealing details of life there. There was not enough time to take it all in so I’ll definitely be returning in the future. I recommend a rest day in Twice Brewed to visit this and the Roman Army Museum.

Walking 10 miles from Twice Brewed to Gilsland, I found the terrain to be up and down for the majority of the walk but nothing too difficult. Passing the highest point of the wall, 345 metres, I could see far reaching views through the clouds. Later in the day the terrain became flatter as I approached Gilsland.

The walk from Gilsland to Irthington started alongside a well preserved section of the wall which continued all the way to Banks. The terrain was grassy pasture and rolling countryside through stunning little villages. I enjoyed the great views in the clear sunny weather.

From Banks, I left the wall to see Lanercost Priory which was partially built from stone pilfered from the wall and then rejoined the wall and headed for Walton, stopping to sample the tea shop. I then carried on to Newtown before making my way to Irthington and my stay in a converted barn.

Next on my journey was to walk from Irthington to Carlisle which was around 9 miles over pasture land, green lanes and ancient tracks, to Crosby on Eden before picking up the riverside path and walking into Carlisle via Rickerby Park.

Now the last leg of the Hadrian’s Wall Walk was upon me, 16 miles from Carlisle to Bowness on Solway. Passing through fields and pretty hamlets were the order for the day before reaching Port Carlisle and joining the road into Bowness on Solway. Making it to the end of the trail, I can absolutely recommend this amazing walking holiday. It was a fantastic experience!”

Ready for your own walking adventure?

We want you to experience, explore and enjoy the best of the great British outdoors. Our team is made up of keen walkers who have a mass of local and national knowledge, and a strong passion for getting outside, and we’ve brought together the best routes, the best accommodation, and the best mapping resources to make sure that you experience the best walking holiday.

South Downs Way

Discover the rolling downlands and charming villages of the South Downs as you walk from historic Winchester to the coastal town of Eastbourne, just beyond the dazzling white cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. This ancient trail follows droveways and old paths along the chalk escarpment of the South Downs, which divides the beautiful Hampshire and Sussex Weald from the south coast of England.

One of our favourite routes

South Downs Way

This route follows the world-famous Roman Wall for its entire length: Traverse this path from one coast to another, from Wallsend, near Newcastle, to the Solway Firth beyond Carlisle, indulging yourself in the history of the region, as well as some great scenery too.

Here’s what some of our customers have to say about us...

I want to thank you folks for doing such a great job of organizing our accommodations and luggage transport ... My wife and I felt very cared for.

Evan Renaerts, Canada

Coast to Coast

Thank you. All in all it was a lovely way to see the countryside and the charming villages.

Mary Miller, USA

Cotswold Way

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